The Gemstones Review

Our Featured Gemstone Writer

The Hobby Of Loose Gemstone Collecting

By Lee MacRae

Why collect loose gemstones you ask? For many people it's because they are very beautiful items. And like their more familiar cousin, natural diamonds, their value increases over time. Many hobbyists love to collect and work with each and every one of the 150 varieties available. This article will discuss the hobby of loose gemstone collecting.

At the very beginning you need to learn all you can on the wide variety of stones available. This will help you to know what exactly you're looking for so you buy the right items. This will help you make informed decisions.

First on the list to evaluate is gemstone color. It is a fact that gemstones are the most intensely colored natural material available on earth. Gems have become so synonomous with color, they have even lent their names to specific colors. Without a doubt you will recognize sapphire blue, ruby red, jade green, aquamarine, emerald green or turquoise. Gemstones become higher in value when they are equal in color to the spectral colors of violet, blue, green,, orange and red. They are valued much less the farther they are from the spectral color.

Stone cut is the second most important factor to consider before a purchase. The precision of cut will determine how much light is reflected by the gemstone. It will fully factor highly in the brilliance of the stone and its final value.

The clarity of a gemstone is our next factor. Gemstone clarity relates to the amount of inclusions (trace elements or large particles of other elements or minerals) that a gem has. A perfect gemstone is obviously worth more. To examine flaws not seen with the naked eye you need a gem microscope or 10X gemstone clarity magnifier. Many hobbyists will get an inexpensive 10X gemstone or jewelers loup for viewing their coins, beads, stamps or in our case gemstones.

Next to consider are weight and size. Except for corals and pearls, all gemstones are priced by the carat. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams. However you should know weight and size are not the same in gemstones. The density and specific gravity can differ in stones. Take a diamond that is 1.00 carats in weight and you will find that a Sapphire or ruby of the same size would weigh 1.20 carats.

Getting involved in collecting gemstones can be very enjoyable and also rewarding in the long run. You don't need to spend a lot of money and yet you can build a very exquisite collection. Many people love to take vacations to go hunting gemstones. Just in the United States in Virginia you can find Amethyst, Garnet, Beryl and Moonstone. And if you like to travel farther you can find opal at Lightning Ridge in NSW, Austalia, topaz in Beechworth, Victoria or check out the Moonstone regions in Moonstone Hill, Queensland, Australia.

Buy cabochon jade loose gemstones as well as loose diamonds and natural diamonds today in our store!

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Tips About loose gemstone beads

In the middle Ages, Bloodstone was attributed special powers as the spots were
thought to be the blood of Jesus Christ. In ancient times, Bloodstone was
thought to be able to stop hemorrhages with the merest touch.
Buy round blue loose gemstones today!

A style of cut found in gemstone jewelry are cabochons. Cabochon cuts are widely
used for gemstones that are 1) of lower clarity and therefore will not reflect
much light. And/or 2) are of exceptional color and/or 3) are opaque in nature (
such as opal or onyx) and or 4) have special optical properties or inclusions
that are best displayed in cabochons (e.g. cat�s eye or star ruby) 5) are too
soft to be cut in facets (moonstone, opal)
Find the best place to buy loose diamonds in our store today!

Natural rubies were highly prized by ancient civilizations. The Hindus called the ruby �king of the precious gems�. Rubies can only be red, but are offered in various shades such as pink-red, purple-red or a brown-red. The ruby is the birthstone for the month of July and ranks 9 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
Buy cabochon Amethyst loose gemstones today!

More loose gemstone beads Info

Sterling Organic Disc Pendant

Sterling silver organic disc pendant on multiple 14kt gold-fill chain. Disc measures approximately 7/8" in diameter.

Sterling Tiny Disc Earrings w/ Pink Tourmaline

Dainty hand hammered sterling silver discs with pink tourmaline accents. All sterling silver earwires and components. Earrings measure 3/8" (about 9.5mm). Also available in larger sizes and 23kt gold vermeil.

Golden Locket Earrings

23kt gold-plated minilockets. Also available in sterling silver plate and in oval. 14kt gold-fill earwires. Lockets measure about 3/8".


http://www.loosegemstonesgalore.com/Loose-Gemstones/Jasper
http://www.loosegemstonesgalore.com/Loose-Gemstones/Kunzite
http://www.loosegemstonesgalore.com/Loose-Gemstones/Kyanite
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